22 Dec the brew crew
Photo by Roger Schneider-The Goshen News
By Roger Schneider – Goshen News
GOSHEN - There’s no sign hanging on the entrance yet, but customers are finding their way to Back Alley Brewery through word of mouth.
The new sports bar that specializes in on-site brewed beers is owned by Kathy and Larry Libey. The couple also operate Gateway Cellar Winery at 211 S. Main St. and the bar is in the rear of that historic downtown retail building.
“We are just trying to do a soft opening and get the beers around,” Larry said.
The bar has been open since September and he expects a new sign to be erected soon. He also plans to host a grand opening in January.
Libey said when he and Kathy bought the wine cellar two years ago their plan was to open the bar three to four years after that.
“But the back end came open so we had to move on it,” he said.
The bar has a capacity of 45 people, making it a cozy place to sit and sip. There are also eight TVs on the bar’s walls, giving sports fans several views of televised sports.
Bartender Annie Swartley has two selections on tap to serve customers, Stella Cidre and Bud Light. But the mainstay of the bar are the custom beers Libey brews onsite.
“We brew beer in back,” Libey said. “We always offer one on tap and a non-alcoholic soda… for those who might be designated drivers or just don’t like beer.”
Libey also makes those sodas. He has a batch of root beer brewing now that will be ready after Christmas.
In beers, he offers a selection of ales, stouts, lagers and Indian pale ales. All have catchy names created by Libey. One is Pigeon Toed Pilsner. Then there are Squirrels Nuts Ale and Street Light Stout.
“All of our names are something you would see in a back alley,” Larry said with a laugh. “Anytime I need to find a new name I just go out in the alley and look around.”
The bar has an entrance off the alley that runs between Main and Third streets. The bar can also be accessed through Gateway Cellar Winery.
One unique feature to the bar is that it can sell carry-out beer on Sunday. Libey sells “growlers,” which are larger glass bottles with resealable caps that customers buy and then bring in to be refilled. Indiana law allows those bottles to be filled and carried out on Sundays, according to Libey.
Sandwiches, appetizers and pizzas are available for customers who bring their appetite to Back Alley.
And for those who think Libey is on to something with his home brews, he offers all sorts of home brewing items for customers who want to try their hand at brewing a beer.
GOSHEN - There’s no sign hanging on the entrance yet, but customers are finding their way to Back Alley Brewery through word of mouth.
The new sports bar that specializes in on-site brewed beers is owned by Kathy and Larry Libey. The couple also operate Gateway Cellar Winery at 211 S. Main St. and the bar is in the rear of that historic downtown retail building.
“We are just trying to do a soft opening and get the beers around,” Larry said.
The bar has been open since September and he expects a new sign to be erected soon. He also plans to host a grand opening in January.
Libey said when he and Kathy bought the wine cellar two years ago their plan was to open the bar three to four years after that.
“But the back end came open so we had to move on it,” he said.
The bar has a capacity of 45 people, making it a cozy place to sit and sip. There are also eight TVs on the bar’s walls, giving sports fans several views of televised sports.
Bartender Annie Swartley has two selections on tap to serve customers, Stella Cidre and Bud Light. But the mainstay of the bar are the custom beers Libey brews onsite.
“We brew beer in back,” Libey said. “We always offer one on tap and a non-alcoholic soda… for those who might be designated drivers or just don’t like beer.”
Libey also makes those sodas. He has a batch of root beer brewing now that will be ready after Christmas.
In beers, he offers a selection of ales, stouts, lagers and Indian pale ales. All have catchy names created by Libey. One is Pigeon Toed Pilsner. Then there are Squirrels Nuts Ale and Street Light Stout.
“All of our names are something you would see in a back alley,” Larry said with a laugh. “Anytime I need to find a new name I just go out in the alley and look around.”
The bar has an entrance off the alley that runs between Main and Third streets. The bar can also be accessed through Gateway Cellar Winery.
One unique feature to the bar is that it can sell carry-out beer on Sunday. Libey sells “growlers,” which are larger glass bottles with resealable caps that customers buy and then bring in to be refilled. Indiana law allows those bottles to be filled and carried out on Sundays, according to Libey.
Sandwiches, appetizers and pizzas are available for customers who bring their appetite to Back Alley.
And for those who think Libey is on to something with his home brews, he offers all sorts of home brewing items for customers who want to try their hand at brewing a beer.
Back Alley Brewery Address: 211 1/2 S. Main St., Goshen Phone: 574-971-5341 Facebook: BackAlleyBrewery Hours: noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday
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